Three drug dealers took over the home of a vulnerable Margate man so they could peddle Class A drugs on the streets.

The trio had targeted their victim, called Brian, in a scam known as "cuckooing", a judge was told.

Prosecutor Michael Hillman said the dealers took over the property as a base for them to sell crack cocaine and heroin.

When police raided the property in Harold Road they heard the victim's frightened voice trying to stall officers.

After forcing their way in they discovered one of the men with drugs stashed in his backside and another trying to hide behind a fridge.

One of the men Mohammed Gedi, 21, who was living in the Margate area, denied he was "cuckooing" and said he was homeless after being released from a previous jail sentence nine days prior to the raid.

Judge James O’Mahony told them: “This court is only too well aware what is going on. You men are being groomed into joining gangs and dealing in Class A drugs on the street.

“I have said this many times before but this court would love to see the Mr Big behind what’s happening sitting in the dock where you are.”

Gedi’s barrister Jon Harrison said that while on remand for the earlier drugs case, the youngster contracted TB and was in a coma for three weeks which left him still needing medical help.

He was jailed for 75 months and pal Anis Omar, 18, from London, who is already serving a sentence, was sent to a Young Offender's Institute for two years.

The sentencing of a third defendant Fesal Mahamud, 19, also from London was transferred to Swansea Crown Court where is facing other charges.

Omar's barrister Oliver Doherty said that the teenager had been "groomed" by others "higher up the chain" to become a drug dealer.

Judge James O'Mahony said young people were being groomed by organised drugs gangs to take over the homes of vulnerable people.

“This was a Class A drugs den with all the associated paraphernalia and a considerable amount of cash. Police also found highly significant text records on your mobile phones.”

He said some of the messages revealed the pleas from desperate addicts in serious withdrawal, which is called “clucking”.